The plot is located on the east side of a large north/south running ridgeline (Laurel Mountain). This mountain is the western most edge of the Allegheny Mountain section of West Virginia. To the west lies the Western Hill section. We are located on or near the boundary between the two in the rain shadow of West Virginia. The forest here is owned by the Monongahela National Forest and is older and more mature than the previous plot (BARB.1). There is a selective timber cut located across the border on private land ca. 100 m to the south.;Nice stand of red oak with sugar maple coming up. This side of the mountain is much less windy than the western side. The forest here is probably 2nd growth and around 80 years old. There is little woody regeneration. Probably due to a heavy deer browse. There are no noticable logging signs. Lots of windthrown trees scattered throughout the stand. They are all barkless so they have been down a number of years. Dense fern cover in plot, mostly hay-scented. The plot is placed on a small bench ca. 60 m from the ridge top. It feels very isolated here. The only sound pollution is us.
Representativeness
Medium to large patch of a nice looking possible 2nd growth red oak/sugar maple forest. The area is being surveyed due to its similarity in geology, aspect and elevation to the Briery Mountain WMA, Preston County. The forest here is much older and conside
